If you're not from the Indian or Cape Malay communities of South Africa, there's a good chance you've never heard of mazavaroo. But once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever cooked without it.
So, What Exactly Is Mazavaroo?
Mazavaroo (sometimes spelled masavaroo or mazawattee paste) is an intensely spiced, oil-based chilli paste that originated in the South African Indian community. It's made from dried red chillies, garlic, ginger, and a blend of warm spices, slow-cooked down into a deeply flavoured, fragrant paste.
Unlike a simple hot sauce, mazavaroo isn't just about heat — it's about flavour. The long cook time and spice blend give it a rich, complex character that straight chilli can't match.
How Do You Use Mazavaroo?
In a bunny chow: This is the most traditional use. A spoonful stirred into the gravy of a Durban bunny chow adds that distinctive kick that makes a real Durban bunny taste the way it should.
As a rub: Mix mazavaroo with a little olive oil and rub it over lamb chops or chicken before grilling. The spices form a crust on the outside while keeping the inside moist and flavourful.
In eggs: Fry a small spoonful of mazavaroo in butter before scrambling your eggs into the pan. The result is a smoky, spiced breakfast that will ruin plain scrambled eggs for you forever.
Stirred into soup: Add a teaspoon to a pot of lentil soup or tomato soup for warmth and depth. It dissolves into the broth and lifts the whole dish.
On toast: Spread lightly on toast with cream cheese or avocado for a quick, fiery snack.
How Spicy Is It?
Mazavaroo ranges from medium to very hot depending on how it's made. Cindy's Mazavaroo is made the traditional way — with real dried chillies and freshly ground spices — so it has genuine heat with proper flavour behind it. It's not just burn for the sake of burn.
Where Can You Get Authentic Mazavaroo?
Most supermarket versions are watered down and heavily preserved. Handmade mazavaroo — like Cindy's — uses proper ingredients and traditional methods, which is why it tastes completely different.
Shop Cindy's Mazavaroo & Chilli Pastes here →
New to mazavaroo? Start with a small amount and work your way up. And if you create something amazing with it, share it with us on Instagram @cindys.online — we'd love to see it.